Participant loyalty and satisfaction with services offered on Street Dance Kemp Goal: Main goal of this thesis is to find a relationship between participant loyalty and satisfaction with services offered on Street Dance Kemp. Methods: In this thesis is used questionnaire and structured interview for obtaining data about participant satisfaction with services offered and about their loyalty to the event. Will be also examined the available competition in dance camps in Europe. To find a relationship between participant loyalty and satisfaction is used statistical method Kruskal-Wallis non-parametrical ANOVA. Results: Main result of this thesis is evaluation of the relationship between participant loyalty and satisfaction and future possible improvement of the services in order to get more loyal participants. Key words: sport event, street dance, hip-hop, questionnaire and interview, competition analysis, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA

The role of surface chemical effects in hydraulic fracturing of shale is studied using the results of unconfined compression tests and Brazilian tests on Mancos shale- cored at depths of 20-60 ft. The rock mineralogy, total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity were determined in order to characterize the shale. Adsorption tests to study the interaction of the shale and aqueous fluid mixture were also carried out using surface tension measurements. The uniaxial compressive strengths and tensile strengths of individual shale samples after four hours exposure to water, 2.85 x 10^-3 M cationic surfactant (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide-DTAB) and 2.81 x 10^-3 M anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate-SDBS) were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. These mechanical strengths were largely reduced on exposure to the aqueous environments studied, despite the relatively low clay and low swelling clay content of the Mancos shale. Further comparison of the uniaxial compressive strengths and tensile strengths of the shale on exposure to water, to the strengths when exposed to the surfactant solutions showed that their difference was not statistically significant indicating that exposure to water had the greatest effect on strength loss. The surface tension measurement of 2.85 x 10^-4 M DTAB and 2.81 x 10^-4 M SDBS solutions before and after equilibration with shale showed about 80% increase in surface tension in the DTAB solution and 10% increase in surface tension in the SDBS solution. The probable sorption mechanism is electrostatic attraction with negatively charged sites of the shale as shown by significant loss of the cationic surfactant (DTAB) to the shale surface, and the relatively minor adsorption capacity of the anionic surfactant (SDBS). Although these adsorption tests indicate interaction between the shale and surfactant solutions, within the number of tests carried out and the surfactant concentration used, the interaction does not translate into a significant statistical difference for impacts of surfactants on mechanical strength of this shale compared to the impact of water alone. The relevance of this work is to facilitate the understanding of how the strength of rock can be reduced by the composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids, to achieve improved fracture performance and higher recovery of natural gas from shale reservoirs.

Wine tourism is very much an "experience", be it the wine, the destination or the opportunity to learn and "grow".Competitive positioning of wine tourism regions has become a strategically important issue, as the number of wine festivals has increased considerably and numerous regions are now marketing aggressively to attract high-yield wine tourists. The Wacky Wine Festival is one of the most unique and popular wine festivals in South Africa, and is the biggest regional wine festival. Managers of the Wacky Wine Festival need to know what visitors see as the important key success factors needed for managing a wine festival. This encourages competiveness and attempts to be sustainable over the long term of the wine festival's product lifecycle. When managing a wine festival, managers also need to identify whether different visitor groups have different perceptions of the managerial aspects. Key success factors (KSFs) are a prerequisite for the success of any organisation. KSFs concern what every manager within the tourism industry must be competent at doing or must concentrate on achieving to be Competitively and financially successful. KSFs are aspects which influence the organisation's ability to thrive in the market place. It is important to identify key success factors as these will assist a business in measuring achievements and indicating the improvement a business is making towards achieving certain targets. The main purpose of this study was therefore to determine key success factors for managing a wine festival by identifying what visitors to the Wacky Wine Festival view as important managerial aspects (KSFs). To reach the above-mentioned goal, the study is divided into 2 articles. Research for both articles was undertaken at the Wacky Wine Festival. Questionnaires were interview-administrated and distributed randomly during the course of the Festival at different wine farms. In total 424 questionnaires werecompleted during the visitor survey from 3-7 June 2009. Article 1 is titled: "Aspects concerning effective and efficient management of the Wacky Wine Festival". The main purpose of this article was therefore to identify the key success factors in managing the Wacky Wine Festival. This was done to determine what people visiting the Wacky Wine Festival view important. A factor analysis was used as instrument for achieving the above-mentioned goal. Results indicated that quality and good management, wine farm attributes, effective marketing, route development, festival attractiveness, entertainment and activities and accessibility are the key success factors that are important when managing a wine festival. These results generated strategic insights on what managers need to focus on when they are organising and managing a wine festival, such as the Wacky Wine Festival. Article 2 is titled: "A management appraisal of the Wacky Wine Festival". The main purpose of this article was to identify why a management appraisal is important when managing a wine festival. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether significant differences occurred between the different visitor groups of the wine festival and their perceptions regarding the managerial aspects. Results revealed that there are three different visitor groups, namely the festinos, the epicureans and the social adventurers that visit the Wacky Wine Festival. Each of them agreed or disagreed what managerial aspects they find are very important when managing the Wacky Wine Festival. Some of the factors were found significant, namely quality and good management, effective marketing and entertainment and activities. Hence managers of the wine festival need to regard these key success factors as important to focus on. This research therefore revealed the key success factors for efficient management of the festival. There are further three types of visitor groups that visit the Wacky Wine Festival were also identified, namely the festinos, the epicureans and the social adventures. Research also indicated that specific markets have different evaluations concerning the importance of management aspects in ensuring success. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Wine tourism is very much an "experience", be it the wine, the destination or the opportunity to learn and "grow".Competitive positioning of wine tourism regions has become a strategically important issue, as the number of wine festivals has increased considerably and numerous regions are now marketing aggressively to attract high-yield wine tourists. The Wacky Wine Festival is one of the most unique and popular wine festivals in South Africa, and is the biggest regional wine festival. Managers of the Wacky Wine Festival need to know what visitors see as the important key success factors needed for managing a wine festival. This encourages competiveness and attempts to be sustainable over the long term of the wine festival's product lifecycle. When managing a wine festival, managers also need to identify whether different visitor groups have different perceptions of the managerial aspects. Key success factors (KSFs) are a prerequisite for the success of any organisation. KSFs concern what every manager within the tourism industry must be competent at doing or must concentrate on achieving to be Competitively and financially successful. KSFs are aspects which influence the organisation's ability to thrive in the market place. It is important to identify key success factors as these will assist a business in measuring achievements and indicating the improvement a business is making towards achieving certain targets. The main purpose of this study was therefore to determine key success factors for managing a wine festival by identifying what visitors to the Wacky Wine Festival view as important managerial aspects (KSFs). To reach the above-mentioned goal, the study is divided into 2 articles. Research for both articles was undertaken at the Wacky Wine Festival. Questionnaires were interview-administrated and distributed randomly during the course of the Festival at different wine farms. In total 424 questionnaires werecompleted during the visitor survey from 3-7 June 2009. Article 1 is titled: "Aspects concerning effective and efficient management of the Wacky Wine Festival". The main purpose of this article was therefore to identify the key success factors in managing the Wacky Wine Festival. This was done to determine what people visiting the Wacky Wine Festival view important. A factor analysis was used as instrument for achieving the above-mentioned goal. Results indicated that quality and good management, wine farm attributes, effective marketing, route development, festival attractiveness, entertainment and activities and accessibility are the key success factors that are important when managing a wine festival. These results generated strategic insights on what managers need to focus on when they are organising and managing a wine festival, such as the Wacky Wine Festival. Article 2 is titled: "A management appraisal of the Wacky Wine Festival". The main purpose of this article was to identify why a management appraisal is important when managing a wine festival. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether significant differences occurred between the different visitor groups of the wine festival and their perceptions regarding the managerial aspects. Results revealed that there are three different visitor groups, namely the festinos, the epicureans and the social adventurers that visit the Wacky Wine Festival. Each of them agreed or disagreed what managerial aspects they find are very important when managing the Wacky Wine Festival. Some of the factors were found significant, namely quality and good management, effective marketing and entertainment and activities. Hence managers of the wine festival need to regard these key success factors as important to focus on. This research therefore revealed the key success factors for efficient management of the festival. There are further three types of visitor groups that visit the Wacky Wine Festival were also identified, namely the festinos, the epicureans and the social adventures. Research also indicated that specific markets have different evaluations concerning the importance of management aspects in ensuring success. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

A implantação de Sistemas de Gestão da Qualidade em ambiente laboratorial vem se tornando uma necessidade frequente, devido à demanda dos clientes por resultados confiáveis e rastreáveis. No Brasil, a Coordenação Geral de Acreditação do Inmetro (Cgcre) é o órgão responsável pela acreditação de laboratórios segundo a NBR ISO/IEC 17025, sendo o Laboratório de Metalurgia Física (LAMEF) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul acreditado para a realização de ensaios de materiais metálicos desde 2010. Em 2013, tendo passado por um processo de aumento de escopo de acreditação para os ensaios mecânicos, evidenciou-se o não atendimento ao item de garantia da qualidade da NBR ISO/IEC 17025 e da NIT-DICLA-026. Para atender aos requisitos, foram conduzidas análises através de Ensaios de Proficiência e por monitoramento interno da qualidade pelos métodos do Erro Normalizado e de Análise de Variância. Quando identificados desvios dos critérios de aceitação, ações corretivas foram tomadas, visando a melhoria contínua dos sistemas de medição. Os resultados do trabalho demonstraram que a implantação sistemática de métodos estatísticos para o monitoramento da qualidade dos ensaios foi fundamental para o processo de aumento do escopo de acreditação do LAMEF, o qual foi consolidado no início de 2014. / The implementation of Quality Management Systems in laboratory environment is being an increasing necessity, due to customer demand for reliable and traceable test results. The General Coordination for Accreditation of Inmetro (Cgcre/Inmetro) is the Brazilian body responsible for the accreditation of laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025 standard, and the Physical Metallurgy Laboratory (LAMEF) from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) has been accredited in performance of metallic materials tests since 2010. In 2013, during the process of accreditation scope extension on mechanical testing, there were identified nonconformities to the quality assurance requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and NIT-DICLA-026. In order to comply with these requirements, studies have been carried out through Proficiency Testing and internal quality monitoring via Normalized Error and Analysis of Variance methods. Corrective actions were taken when deviations from the acceptance criteria were identified, aiming the measurement systems continuous improvement. The results of this work have demonstrated that the systematic implementation of statistical methods for monitoring the testing quality was critical to the process of LAMEF extension of scope, which was consolidated in the early 2014.

A implantação de Sistemas de Gestão da Qualidade em ambiente laboratorial vem se tornando uma necessidade frequente, devido à demanda dos clientes por resultados confiáveis e rastreáveis. No Brasil, a Coordenação Geral de Acreditação do Inmetro (Cgcre) é o órgão responsável pela acreditação de laboratórios segundo a NBR ISO/IEC 17025, sendo o Laboratório de Metalurgia Física (LAMEF) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul acreditado para a realização de ensaios de materiais metálicos desde 2010. Em 2013, tendo passado por um processo de aumento de escopo de acreditação para os ensaios mecânicos, evidenciou-se o não atendimento ao item de garantia da qualidade da NBR ISO/IEC 17025 e da NIT-DICLA-026. Para atender aos requisitos, foram conduzidas análises através de Ensaios de Proficiência e por monitoramento interno da qualidade pelos métodos do Erro Normalizado e de Análise de Variância. Quando identificados desvios dos critérios de aceitação, ações corretivas foram tomadas, visando a melhoria contínua dos sistemas de medição. Os resultados do trabalho demonstraram que a implantação sistemática de métodos estatísticos para o monitoramento da qualidade dos ensaios foi fundamental para o processo de aumento do escopo de acreditação do LAMEF, o qual foi consolidado no início de 2014. / The implementation of Quality Management Systems in laboratory environment is being an increasing necessity, due to customer demand for reliable and traceable test results. The General Coordination for Accreditation of Inmetro (Cgcre/Inmetro) is the Brazilian body responsible for the accreditation of laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025 standard, and the Physical Metallurgy Laboratory (LAMEF) from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) has been accredited in performance of metallic materials tests since 2010. In 2013, during the process of accreditation scope extension on mechanical testing, there were identified nonconformities to the quality assurance requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and NIT-DICLA-026. In order to comply with these requirements, studies have been carried out through Proficiency Testing and internal quality monitoring via Normalized Error and Analysis of Variance methods. Corrective actions were taken when deviations from the acceptance criteria were identified, aiming the measurement systems continuous improvement. The results of this work have demonstrated that the systematic implementation of statistical methods for monitoring the testing quality was critical to the process of LAMEF extension of scope, which was consolidated in the early 2014.

A implantação de Sistemas de Gestão da Qualidade em ambiente laboratorial vem se tornando uma necessidade frequente, devido à demanda dos clientes por resultados confiáveis e rastreáveis. No Brasil, a Coordenação Geral de Acreditação do Inmetro (Cgcre) é o órgão responsável pela acreditação de laboratórios segundo a NBR ISO/IEC 17025, sendo o Laboratório de Metalurgia Física (LAMEF) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul acreditado para a realização de ensaios de materiais metálicos desde 2010. Em 2013, tendo passado por um processo de aumento de escopo de acreditação para os ensaios mecânicos, evidenciou-se o não atendimento ao item de garantia da qualidade da NBR ISO/IEC 17025 e da NIT-DICLA-026. Para atender aos requisitos, foram conduzidas análises através de Ensaios de Proficiência e por monitoramento interno da qualidade pelos métodos do Erro Normalizado e de Análise de Variância. Quando identificados desvios dos critérios de aceitação, ações corretivas foram tomadas, visando a melhoria contínua dos sistemas de medição. Os resultados do trabalho demonstraram que a implantação sistemática de métodos estatísticos para o monitoramento da qualidade dos ensaios foi fundamental para o processo de aumento do escopo de acreditação do LAMEF, o qual foi consolidado no início de 2014. / The implementation of Quality Management Systems in laboratory environment is being an increasing necessity, due to customer demand for reliable and traceable test results. The General Coordination for Accreditation of Inmetro (Cgcre/Inmetro) is the Brazilian body responsible for the accreditation of laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025 standard, and the Physical Metallurgy Laboratory (LAMEF) from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) has been accredited in performance of metallic materials tests since 2010. In 2013, during the process of accreditation scope extension on mechanical testing, there were identified nonconformities to the quality assurance requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and NIT-DICLA-026. In order to comply with these requirements, studies have been carried out through Proficiency Testing and internal quality monitoring via Normalized Error and Analysis of Variance methods. Corrective actions were taken when deviations from the acceptance criteria were identified, aiming the measurement systems continuous improvement. The results of this work have demonstrated that the systematic implementation of statistical methods for monitoring the testing quality was critical to the process of LAMEF extension of scope, which was consolidated in the early 2014.

La tesis aborda el análisis estadístico de series simples y múltiples de experimentos de "Time Course Microarray" (TCM). El trabajo se centra en el desarrollo, aplicación y evaluación de métodos estadísticos específicos que consideran la problemática de este tipo de datos, tanto desde el punto de vista de selección de genes como del análisis funcional. Las técnicas desarrolladas se comparan con otros métodos del estado del arte actual evaluando las diferentes metodologías en términos de eficiencia y significado biológico de los resultados. En la tesis se incluye la descripción del funcionamiento de la tecnología de "microarrays" así como una revisión crítica de los métodos estadísticos aplicados a este tipo de datos mostrando los inconvenientes que surgen al aplicar métodos generales a series temporales de "microarrays" y justificando la necesidad de desarrollar nuevas técnicas para el análisis de TCM. La primera técnica desarrollada es maSigPro ("microarray Significant Profile") que usa análisis de regresión lineal para modelar la expresión génica y lleva a cabo una estrategia en dos pasos para seleccionar los genes diferencialmente expresados. La aplicación de la técnica multivariantes ASCA (ANOVA "Simultaneous Component Analysis") a datos de TCM da como resultado el método ASCA-genes que combina la exploración multivariante de datos con un procedimiento de selección para identificación de genes con cambios relevantes. El método ASCA es también usado para crear una estrategia de filtrado de datos de gran utilidad para eliminar el alto nivel de ruido estructural de los datos de microarrays. Por último, se desarrollan métodos estadísticos para una evaluación directa e integrada de las alteraciones que pueden sufrir las funciones génicas en TCM. Para este propósito, se ha adaptado las técnicas maSigPro, ASCA y PCA incorporándoles información funcional obteniendo las metodologías maSigFun, PCA-maSigFun y ASCA-functional. / Nueda Roldán, MJ. (2009). Statistical methods for time course microarray data [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/6061 / Palancia

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the influence of two glide path preparation methods on the fracture rate of the Primary 25/08 WaveOne reciprocating instrument. The number of simulator Endo-Training-Blocks in each group were calculated at the time of instrument fracture and compared to determine the influence of glide path preparation on the failure rate of the Primary 25/08 WaveOne reciprocating instrument. Preparation times for different glide path methods and total time for root canal preparation, with or without glide path, was also calculated. Materials and Methods: Simulator Endo-Training-Blocks (n = 300) were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 100). The 3 groups were then sub-divided into 5 smaller groups (n = 20). Root canal preparation was done with new primary 25/08 WaveOne instruments allocated to each group (5 in total for each group, 1 for each sub-group) following different methods for glide path preparation. Group 1: no glide path (control); Group 2: glide path preparation with stainless-steel hand files (size 10 K-File followed by size 15 K-File and finally size 20 K-File until loose fitting); and Group 3: glide path preparation with rotary PathFiles (size 10 K-File until loose fitting followed by PathFile no.1 (ISO 13 tip), PathFile no.2 (ISO 16 tip) and finally PathFile no. 3 (ISO 19 tip)). The Primary 25/08 WaveOne reciprocating instrument was used with the WaveOne endodontic motor in “WaveOne All “mode with a brushing motion on the outstroke. Simulated root canals were irrigated with sterile water and Glyde was used as lubricating agent. The outcome was measured by recording how many simulators could be prepared with one instrument before instrument breakage occurred. The preparation protocol was repeated 5 times. The time it took to prepare the glide path and the total preparation time was also calculated. The data of the different parts of the project were collected and statistically analysed using the ANOVA / Bonferroni test. Results: Glide path preparation with PathFiles was significantly faster (13.3 s ± 2.60 s) than with hand files (25.1 s ± 1.70 s) (P < 0.001). The highest number of simulators could be prepared after glide path preparation was performed with PathFiles (19.2 ± 0.84) (P < 0.001). Pairwise comparisons at the Bonferroni adjusted significance level of 0.017 demonstrated that there were statistical significant differences (P < 0.001) when PathFiles (19.2 ± 0.84) and hand files (17.6 ±1.14) were compared to the no glide path group (7.4 ± 0.89). There was no statistical significant difference between PathFiles and hand files groups. Total Preparation time was significantly shorter (P < 0.001) when an initial glide path was prepared with PathFiles (12.7 ± 0.22 s). The longest preparation time (P < 0.001) was calculated in group 1 where no glide path (21.2 ± 0.20 s) was present and the Endo-Training-Blocks were left undisturbed. Conclusion: Initial glide path preparation with PathFiles resulted in shorter preparation time (glide path and total preparation) and allowed a higher number of simulators prepared before failure of the WaveOne instrument. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Odontology / unrestricted

This project was funded by Automotive Partnership Canada (APC), an initiative created by the Government of Canada in an attempt to support significant, collaborative R&D activities in order to benefit the entire Canadian automotive industry. / High strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys have been increasingly employed in the transportation industry due to the increased demands for light structural components. However, their applications have been limited to relatively expensive wrought products. Application of the shape cast Al-Zn-Mg-Cu parts has never been the focus of attention due to their poor castability and mechanical properties. Improving the casting quality is expected to increase their utilization within the automotive industry. The poor castability and mechanical properties of some alloys in this family may be effectively improved through optimized chemistry control and melt treatment including grain refinement. The primary objective of this project is to optimize the chemistry and heat treatment of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy family that results in improved strength with acceptable level of ductility and casting quality relative to other shape cast Al alloys. The Taguchi experimental design method was used to narrow down the number of required casting experiments required to meet the research objective. Three levels across four elements yielded a total of 9 Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys, which were cast using a tilt pour permanent mold process. The effect of each major alloying element on the microstructure, and mechanical properties was investigated. Tensile measurements were made on the 9 alloys subjected to two steps solution treatments. Mechanical properties such as yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elongation at fracture (El.%) were experimentally measured and statistically analyzed. An ANOVA analysis was employed to quantify the percentage contribution of the alloying elements on the material properties. Grain refinement was found to play a significant role in improving the hot tearing resistance and, thereby ameliorating quality. The alloying element that affected the YS and UTS to the greatest extent was Cu, followed by Zn. In contrast, the effect of Mg and Ti on YS and UTS was insignificant. Moreover, a decrease in Mg content had the greatest effect in enhancing the El.%. A regression analysis was used to obtain statistical relationships (models) correlating the material properties with the variations in the content of the major alloying elements. The R-square values of YS, UTS, and El.% were 99.7 %, 98 %, and 90 %, respectively, showing that the models replicated the experimental results. Verification measurements made on shape cast Al-6Zn-2Mg-2Cu alloy revealed that the material property model predictions were in agreement with the experimentally measured values. The results show that secondary and over ageing treatments of the shape cast Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys lead to superior combination of YS and El.%. The ongoing advances in shape casting of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with high will make them suitable choices for commercial load-bearing automotive components, when it comes to the selection of a material meeting the minimum requirements for strength, damage tolerance, cost and weight. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)